Tetrahedral Game Goal

ABSTRACT

A goal for a three-dimensional game includes: (a) four congruent hoops each having three equally spaced tee connectors along their circumferences and each hoop being coupled with each other hoop at exactly one tee connector and in a tetrahedral configuration; (b) four congruent generally triangular rebound sections overlapping at the tees and covering the areas outside of the hoops with a trampoline like construction; (c) a tube of net affixed at both ends to the peripheries of any two hoops which two hoops when rotated in opposite directions twists and constricts the net tube so that a ball may not pass into one end of the tube and out the other end; (d) Three distinct congruent hoop shaped goal openings which, when positioned on a playing field, one hoop is the base, one hoop faces generally away from the opposing goal for two points, and two hoops face generally forward for one point;

A particular shortcoming of soccer among the worlds sports is its notorious low scoring due to the long distance between the opposing goals and ball play inhibiting crowding of players close to the goals. The portion of the game where the ball is in striking distance of the goal is the most exciting part of the game. When the ball is not in striking distance there isn't any urgency and when it is in striking distance the players quickly crowd around the ball inhibiting opportunities for goals.

Another shortcoming of soccer is the cessation of play when a shot is missed and the ball goes out of bounds.

Another shortcoming of soccer is the need for penalty kicks which rely on a high degree luck minimizing the game's competitive purity.

Another shortcoming of soccer is predictable and overly cautious strategies that restrict the free flow and excitement of the sport.

A shortcoming of other sports which utilize a multisided goal apparatus like Socci, which has both vertically and horizontally oriented goals, and Circular Soccer, which has solely vertically oriented goals, is the goals aren't scaleable. As the goals get bigger, the upper portion of the goal becomes un-defendable in the case of Socci and simply a dead zone in the case of Circular Soccer. While these goals can be used by small teams on scaled down fields or courts, they cannot be made large enough to accommodate full 11 v 11 soccer play.

An additional shortcoming of Socci is that the method of play is specific and distinct from soccer requiring players to learn a new set of rules thereby limiting its ease of use.

An additional shortcoming of Circular Soccer is that the goals are only vertically oriented with the top portion of the goal being unused.

Another shortcoming of Circular Soccer is the goal is flimsy and does not rebound when the ball strikes the goal framework.

A new sport and game ball goal, Feetbol and the Feetbol Gol, has been invented which utilizes soccer skills but differs from soccer, soccer variations, and other multisided foot sport goals as herein described.

The present invention is directed to overcome all of the shortcomings of soccer, its variations, and alternative multisided soccer sports, add new elements, and providing numerous other benefits, features, and improvements.

In particular the object of the present invention is to provide a soccer goal which increases the scoring of the game without changing the basic method of ball play.

Another object of the invention is to increase the proportion of gameplay where the ball is in score-able range from the goal.

A further object of the invention is to promoted faster and more frequent transitions of the ball from one side of the field to the other.

Another object of the invention is to decrease crowding of players which restricts ball play on the field

Yet another object of the invention is to create new strategic and tactical dynamics on the field.

Still another object of the invention is to keep the ball in play more continuously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a goal that is scaleable so that the sport can be played by fewer or larger numbers of players simply by using a smaller or larger goal and field according to the present invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a smaller and more challenging round target.

Another object of the invention is to provide a more challenging goal into which the ball cannot merely roll but must be elevated from the ground in order to score.

A further object of the invention a goal that cannot be defended by a single goal keeper.

Still another object of the invention is a goal that combines the respective qualities of vertically oriented hoops and horizontally oriented goals with hoops angled according to the geometry of a tetrahedron thereby striking a balance between power and placement.

And yet another object of the invention is to provide a goal that is made of all functional components without extraneous parts or regions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a goal that imparts the strong and naturally robust geometry of a tetrahedron.

Another object of the invention is to provide a goal that when shooting from

Another object of the invention is to create the risk of own goal when shooting at the 2 point back goal since a team's own goal is in the same direction.

Consistent with the degree of difficulty represented by each goal hoop, striking the more accessible forward facing goal planar surfaces counts one point, while striking the less accessible and more risky opposite facing goal planar surfaces counts two points.

Although the specific goal structure and power scheme described herein are unique to the new sport of Feetbol, the goal of the present invention can be used to play many other sports and games, as well as training for existing sports. For instance, a similarly-shaped goal structure could be used to play a three-dimensional 3 dimensional hockey, Ultimate Frisbee, Handball, Lacrosse etc. The goal of the present invention conveys the advantages described herein to those games, too.

Also, the goal of the present invention can be used to practice skills for this or other open-field sports.

A goal that includes three score-able hoops, a rigid hoop to hoop framework, and canopy sections all of which actively contribute to the game's fast pace and continuous play and all of which can be quickly dismantled for transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A soccer ball goal comprises four congruent hoops arranged in a tetrahedral configuration such that each hoop attaches to each other hoop at exactly one attachment point. When placed on the ground one of the four hoops is parallel to the ground and positionable on a playing surface while the other three congruent hoops face up and out.

These triangular openings are closed by way of a trampoline and bungee construction so that a ball may not pass through but rather will bound back. Two of the three goal hoops are connected to each other by a tube of flexible netting. When twisted the tube of netting dilates the passage through the tube until the two openings are separated from each other in a twist of netting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the main components: frame, net and canopy;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of only the frame of the present invention shown without netting or canopy;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame and canopy of the present invention, shown without netting:

FIG. 4 is a closeup of a portion of FIG. 3 shown without netting;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “front,” “back,” “within,” “enter”, “exit” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Referring in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now be described.

Referring first to FIG. 1 , a three dimensional game goal 10 comprises: a) four hoops 11, 12, 13, and 14, each having three tee connectors 15 equally spaced along the circumference of each hoop. Hoops 11, 12, 13, and 14 are arranged in a tetrahedral configuration such that each hoop is connected to each other hoop at one point by a tee coupling 16. When positioned on a playing field, the one dimensional plane of hoop 11 defines the goal base 30, the open planes of hoops 11 and 12 define front goals 31 and 32 facing generally forward toward the opposing goal, and the open plane of hoop 14 defines back goal 33 facing away from the opposing goal. Front goals 31 and 32 and back goal 33 allow the ball to enter the goal in order to score points.

b) rebound canopy 40 comprised of four generally triangular canopy sections 41 which prevent the ball from entering the goal and redirect the balls inertia with an enhanced rebound propensity provided by elastic materials including an elastic fabric and/or elastic connections to the hoops. Each canopy section 41 is attached to hoops 11, 12, 13, and 14 along theft circumferences and overlap each other at canopy overlap areas 71.

c) netting 50 is attached at a plurality of net attachment points 19 along the circumferences of hoops 12 and 13 forming a tube of netting. When hoops 12 and 13 are rotated in opposite directions respective to each other, netting 50 twists in the middle at twist point 51 thereby allowing the ball to enter goal 31 or 32 but preventing the ball from exiting the other goal. A ball that enters the back goal 33 is prevented from exiting the goal by netting 50 and rebound canopy 40.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a three dimensional game goal 10 is shown without the net or canopy attached. Hoops 11, 12, 13, and 14 are arranged in a tetrahedral configuration as described above and include tees 15 and tee couplings 16. Hoops 11, 12, 13, and 14 each have a plurality of canopy attachment nubs 17, canopy end nubs 43, and canopy end cleats 44. Hoops 12 and 13 also have a plurality of net attachment points 19.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a three dimensional game goal frame 10 is shown without netting in order to pay closer attention to rebound canopy 40. Generally triangular canopy sections 41 cover the open areas between hoops 11, 12, 13, and 14 (hoop 14 is not visible in this drawing) to prevent the ball from entering the goal other than through front goals 31 and 32 and back goal 33. Canopy sections 41 overlap at canopy ends 42 and attached to canopy end nubs 43 while the periphery of canopy sections 41 are affixed to canopy attachment nubs 17.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , a three dimensional game goal frame 10 shows a close up of FIG. 3 to better illustrate how canopy 40 attaches to hoops 11, 12, 13, and 14. As shown, canopy 40 wraps around hoops 11 and 13 at wrap around areas 61. Canopy section 41 has hem 45 along its periphery. An elastic or alternately a non-elastic cord 46 runs through hem 45 and is affixed to canopy end nub 43 at one end and canopy end cleat 44 at the other end allowing cord 46 to be easily tightened or removed. Hem openings 47 allow the cord to hook onto canopy attachment nubs 17 along periphery of canopy sections 41. Adjacent canopy ends extend to the opposite side of tees 15 creating overlap areas 71 so that adjacent canopy sections 41 have one canopy end 42 is over and the other is under or vice versa. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A three dimensional sport, game, activity, or practice goal comprised of; a. A goal frame having four substantially round and like sized hoops arranged geometrically as four hoops inscribed into the triangles of a tetrahedron such that each hoop is connected to each other hoop at exactly one connection point, one hoop rests on a playing surface, and 3 hoops define the planar scoring surfaces through which a game ball or game object must pass in order to score; b. Four rebound members corresponding to the generally triangular and curvilinear areas defined by the goal frame, these rebound members serving to prevent the game ball or game object from entering the goal frame via any means except through any one of the three scoring hoops; c. A system of netting inside of the goal frame, which in conjunction with the rebound areas, prevents the game ball or game object from entering any of the three scoring hoops and exiting the goal frame via any other opening other than the one through which the game ball or game object entered the goal frame, as when the game ball or game object may from time to time bounce back out of the goal frame after scoring. 